Potty "trainer"

No, we have not start potty training with Kiharu yet (grandma, we are saving that job for you again this summer at YOUR house ^_^). As many people suggested, younger siblings tend to learn things much faster as they copy the older ones on everything, including bathroom visit...

This afternoon, suddenly Kiharu was pointing to her pants and said she wanted to poop, which normally she would have just quietly done it behind the scene. Yoshi heard it, and said "Kiharu, let's go to bathroom, I will help you." Of course, I followed them right behind (who knows what Yoshi meant by "teaching").

Yoshi pulled out the hidden potty training seat, set it up on the toilet for Kiharu. She was very willing to try it. One wanted to teach, and one wanted to learn, so my instant thought was "Camera!!"

They were very cute in the bathroom. Yoshi was very patient with her. He even checked for any result. ^_^ Though at the end, nothing happened. But it was a big accomplishment to both of their efforts.

Great friends- English channel

One of the concern I had at the beginning of school year, was Yoshi's class size has increased from 6 kids to 14 kids. He's the only non-English speaker. But very soon, I realized with such wonderful teachers, it made his transition so much easier to handle. And most importantly, he and his classmates get along very well. Though Yoshi has limited English volcabularies, but he's never shy to speak to other kids or participate in any class activities. And many times, I would hear him speaking new words that I never knew he has learnt. At age 4, he's really like a sponge, absorbing every new languages he hears, and being able to separate them and use in right time.

For a long time, Yoshi has been asking if he could invite his friends over to play, and finally, we got a chance. We invited a few yesterday, and the boys have so much fun together. So glad to see they enjoyed each other's friendship.

(They were giving Mr. Bear a surgery using the "tools")
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Here is a video of the Yoshi & Kiharu. You think Kiharu don't understand at age 2?! Think twice....

Happy Chinese New Year....from the kids

"Happy Chinese New Year" from the kids. (they were saying/ repeating all the chinese phrases that wishing everyone good health, happiness, luck and fortune....)

Happy Chinese New Year

Happy Chinese New Year to everyone. Thank you for your care and support this past year. Wishing everyone good health and lots of happiness this coming year.

(Thanks Auntie Sally for the outfits, the kids have fun wearing those. You have just added more new year celebration mood around here. Thank you)

Bedtime struggle

Kiharu has been very independent and easy when it comes to bed time. The last year, I could just say good night and walk out the room. But the last few days, don't know exactly why, the minute I walked out the bedroom, she would just cry. She would be standing by the bed corner (almost like waiting at the bus stop), cry till someone show up. She just want me to stay with her. I tried many things, talking to her, brought her a new blanket, wait a little bit, or even let her cry till she fell asleep on her own. I tried to be patience, yet not wanting to become a habbit to sit by her bedside. This happens during day time nap too.....

Yesterday, Yoshi volunteered to be the comforting person. He was so kind to her. I was listening outside. He said "Ki-chan, don't cry, we are here. I will stay with you a little bit....." then as soon as he walked out the room, she cried. Back and forth many times, he had so much patience. But at some point, I heard his tone changed "Ki-chan, why are u crying so much, don't cry!!!".... ^_^

Later on, Yoshi pulled the chair by her bedside, hoping to stay with her by pretending to sleep. It was quite funny.

Well....as long as Yoshi was in the room, she wouldn't want to sleep. So we ended up walking away, and let the little girl cry till she fell asleep on her own. (luckily the TV monitor has the "mute" button....)

Bath tub upgrade

Nori's idea of using the baby bathtub as Ofuro hottub was a successful hit to the kids. They LOVE the weekend activity. But the baby tub is way too small.....

No worry, Nori has taken care of it. The solution---- "a bigger plastic container". ^_^......except, it's clear color, so everything is "see through"...hee hee...^_^

Kiharu 2nd birthday party

Yesterday we had Kiharu's birthday party at home. We invited a few friends over to celebrate. At 2 yrs old, Kiharu sure knew that's a party for her. Thanks everyone for coming. Hope u did have lots of "strawberries" fun. (& thank you everyone who have sent in your birthday wishes from everywhere, you have all made this little girl feel very special. Thank you)

Every year at both Yoshi & Kiharu's birthday parties, I would prepare a list of questions, whoever have the most correct answers would win a prize. ^_^ (I will reveal the answers in a few days here for you)

Ringtone... money well spent!!

Everytime when I call my friend, we always hear the ringtone on the phone while waiting for her to pick up the call. The kids LOVE the music so much that we actually don't really want my friend to pick up the call. The favorite part was to be connected to her voice mail, so we could hang up and redial the same phone number again (& again), just to hear the music. Yes, as you might think, why not turning on the radio instead..... but since my friend has paid monthly fee for the ringtone function, why not making sure her money well spent.......^_^ Thanks May EE.

Happy birthday Kiharu

Today is Kiharu's birthday. We sang so many times birthday song that Kiharu knew it's for her. Can't believe she is already 2 years old. Here are few things about this little girl-

- You are always a happy girl (most of the time). You have lots of silly laughs.

- I love seeing you dance, moving your shoulders up and down with the music beats.

- You and your brother are great buddies. Even with fighting, always ended with hugs and sorry, then things would be back to normal again. Did I tell you, you shouldn't always start the argument by grabbing Yoshi's stuff, and immediately ran the opposite direction, I saw it all.

- Every time when Yoshi's teacher opens the classroom door, the first one who runs in is YOU!! ( I know you miss Yoshi a lot while he's away)

- I can't believe you have recently started to show me what u want to wear or not. There were times you refused to wear certain clothes, and kept pointing to the others. I know you are a girl, but I really can't let you win this battle, as I can foresee what will be coming up soon.....

- Whenever Yoshi came to me and complaint about something, you were always right behind, filing the same complaint, making sure your voice being heard.

- Unlike your brother when he's little, you never seem to be intimated by my louder voice, or my angry look, or even my silent strategy. You just seem to have your own mind set going.

- You have started to say some words: "No....No....(in English)" hm....wonder where u learned this from..... "早晨 (good morning) 廁所(toilet) 抱(carry me) 唔該(thank you) 要(want)" ... "Arigatou (thank you) Chi gau chi gau (no no...) "

Kiharu, every little thing about you always amazes me and Otousan. We enjoy seeing how much you and Yoshi love each other. Can't believe you are already two, we look forward in many more fun (& silly) things you bring to us everyday. Hugs and Kisses from me, Otousan & your best buddy- Yoshi. xoxoxo

Their favorite time- Ofuro (bath time)

The favorite time for the kids got to be weekend. Not only because Nori is here with us, lots of playtime together, but the highlight must be the shower time. In Japanese culture, "ofuro" (bathing in tub) is an everyday thing. We do have a bathtub here, but it's sort of big which requires much more water to fill up. So Nori came up with a better idea using the baby bathtub. I can't do this in weekday as it is hard to handle both kids in and out the bathtub at the same time. I only give them shower time. So I guess, they have to wait for another 5 days before getting to sit inside the little tub. ^_^

Art is not (yet) his thing

We didn't go anywhere today. So I tried to do some creative thing with Yoshi during Kiharu's nap time.

Fingerprint art- it's very easy and fun. I should borrow the book from library to get more ideas.

Ojiichan and Obaachan got this drawing book for Yoshi. It teaches kids how to draw simple shapes. I always know Yoshi has lots of interest in music. But I think drawing is not (yet) his talent perhaps. But he's still trying, and it's fun doing it with him. I just found it very funny with his artwork....hee hee.......cute no matter what they look like. ^_^

(Ojiichan, Obaachan, arigatou)

As for this little girl, she decided to do some makeup on her cheeks.......with the stamps.

Happy new year

Happy new year everyone. Can't believe it's 2012. The last few months went by so fast, we just took down all our Christmas decoration in the house today, everywhere seems very empty. After a long week of holiday vacation, Nori will be back to work tomorrow. I'm starting to have the "separation anxiety" ^_^

We just had the first (light) snow accumulation today. Not much on the ground, but good enough for the kids to have their first snow fun of the year.

"Snowman On the MOON"